Infusion hub assembly and fluid line disconnect system

ABSTRACT

An infusion hub assembly, comprising: a hub received in a hole in a wing, the hub having a bore passing therethrough, with an upper portion of the circular hub having an attachment surface thereon; an infusion cannula extending downwardly away from the wing, the infusion cannula being in fluid communication with the bore passing through the hub; a cover having a bore passing therethrough and having an inner attachment surface adapted to mate with the attachment surface on the upper portion of the hub; and a septum positioned in alignment with the bore passing through the cover. 
     An infusion connector set comprising: a first connector; a septum received in the first connector; a second connector; a septum received in the second connector; and a flanged needle which penetrates both the septums in the first and second connectors when the first and second connectors are connected together.

RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 10/091,123, filed Mar. 4, 2002 and U.S. provisionalpatent application Nos. 60/273,490, filed Mar. 4, 2001; and 60/299,842,filed Jun. 19, 2001.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In various embodiments, the present invention provides an infusion hubassembly, comprising: a wing having a hole passing therethrough; a hubreceived in the hole in the wing, the hub having a bore passingtherethrough, with an upper portion of the circular hub having anattachment surface thereon; an infusion cannula extending downwardlyaway from the wing, the infusion cannula being in fluid communicationwith the bore passing through the hub; a cover having a bore passingtherethrough with an inner attachment surface adapted to mate with theattachment surface on the upper portion of the hub; and a septumpositioned in alignment with the bore passing through the cover.

In various embodiments, the upper portion of the hub is circular and hasan attachment surface extending circumferentially therearound. Invarious embodiments, this attachment surface comprises a lip extendingcircumferentially therearound.

The present infusion hub assembly comprises a cover having a borethrough which an insertion needle is positioned when initiallypositioning the wing of the assembly on a patient's skin with theinfusion cannula extending subcutaneously. In various embodiments, thecover holds a septum therein to advantageously seal the pathway into thepatient (when the insertion needle is not piercing therethrough).

In various embodiments, the cover is dimensioned to be snap-fit over theinfusion hub. In various embodiments, the cover has a central borethrough which the insertion needle passes when the assembly ispositioned subcutaneously.

Thereafter, the novel rotatable infusion housing is attached onto thetop of the cover. In various embodiments, the rotatable housing has anattachment surface adapted to mate with an outer attachment surface onthe upper portion of the cover. Thus, in various embodiments, therotatable housing is also dimensioned to be snap-fit over the cover,which is in turn snap-fit over the infusion hub.

In various aspects, the attachment surface on both the cover and therotatable housing comprises a recess extending circumferentiallytherearound. These recesses mate with lips extending from an upperportion of the infusion hub and the cover, respectively. In variousaspects, the infusion hub and the rotatable housing are circular suchthat the rotatable housing can turn freely, while still providingcontinuous infusion of medication (or other desired fluid substances)subcutaneously into the patient.

In various embodiments, the rotatable housing comprises a curved needlepassing at least partially through a radial bore in the rotatablehousing, wherein a first end of the curved needle is positioned toextend downwardly into the bores in the cover and the hub when therotatable housing is attached to the cover. Additionally, an infusiontube is received into the radial bore of the rotatable housing in fluidcommunication with the curved needle.

Advantages of having a rotatable infusion housing which can turn freely,while still providing continuous infusion subcutaneously into thepatient include: (i) avoiding kinks in the infusion tube, and (ii)avoiding having to tape the infusion housing to the patient, thus (iii)permitting the patient to position an infusion pump (which feeds fluidinto the infusion tube) at different locations one the patient's body.

In another aspect of the invention, the present invention provides aninfusion connector set comprising: a proximal connector; a septumreceived in the proximal connector; a distal connector; a septumreceived in the distal connector; and a flanged needle which penetratesboth the septums in the proximal and distal connectors when the proximaland distal connectors are connected together.

It is to be understood, however, that reference made herein to a“proximal” and “distal” connector is only exemplary. Thus, the flangedneedle may instead move to various positions within the distal connectorrather than within the proximal connector. Accordingly, the presentinvention refers to a “first” and a “second” connector. In variousembodiments, the “first” connector is the “proximal” connector and the“second” connector is the “distal” connector. In alternate embodiments,the connectors are reversed such that the “first” connector is the“distal” connector and the “second” connector is the “proximal”connector.

In various embodiments, the flanged needle is slidably movable within aslot in the distal connector. In various aspects, the flanged needle maybe moved to a position at which the needle does not penetrate theproximal septum in the proximal connector, yet is still held within theproximal connector.

Thus, when the proximal and distal connectors are fastened together, theneedle provides a fluid path therethrough. When the distal connectors isuncoupled from the proximal connector, the septum in the distalconnector will seal (since the flanged needle is held within theproximal connector, and thus is no longer in contact with the septum inthe distal connector ).

In various embodiments, the flange of the flanged needle protrudesthrough the slot in the distal connector such that an operator may grabonto the flange and move the flanged needle along in the slot in thedistal connector. Thus, the flanged needle may conveniently be moved toa position in which the needle no longer penetrates the septum in theproximal connector. Thus, the septum in the proximal connector will sealitself, preventing contamination or exposure to the substance beingdelivered through the infusion tubing.

An advantage of having the proximal and distal connector easilydisconnectable from one another (with their respective septums sealingthe fluid path through both connectors) is that it facilitates switchingbetween different infusion lines.

A further advantage of providing the distal connector with its ownseptum is that a patient can manually disconnect the proximal and distalconnectors and then inject a syringe (containing an alternate medicationor substance) through the septum in the distal connector, and into thepatient.

In various embodiments, the infusion connector set further comprises aretainer mounted at the distal end of the proximal connector. In variousembodiments, this retainer closes the distal end of the slot in theproximal connector, such that movement of the flanged needle is retainedto back and forth movement within the proximal connector.

In various embodiments, the proximal and distal connectors aredimensioned such that one connector may be inserted into the other, andthen rotated into an interlocked position. This may be achieved byproviding one of the connectors with at least one tab extendingtherefrom, and the other of the connectors with at least one recesstherein. The at least one recess is dimensioned to receive the at leastone tab therein when the proximal and distal connectors are connectedtogether. In various embodiments, the connector comprising the at leastone tab is the proximal connector, and the connector comprising the atleast one slot is the distal connector.

Still other features and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art from a reading of the followingdetailed description of embodiments constructed in accordance therewith,taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a sectional side elevation view of an infusion hub assemblyaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional side elevation view similar to FIG. 1, but with aninsertion needle passing therethrough.

FIG. 3 is a sectional side elevation view similar to FIGS. 1 and 2, butwith the insertion needle removed, and replaced by a rotatable infusionhousing.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the assembled infusion hub assembly.

FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of the assembled infusion hub assembly.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the present infusion hubassembly, showing alternate positioning of the insertion needle passingthrough the cover and of the rotatable infusion housing fit over thecover.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an infusion connector set according tothe present invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 7, showing the proximal anddistal connector disconnected from one another.

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 8, but with the flanged needle movedsuch that it does not penetrate the proximal septum.

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the proximal connectorassembly.

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of the distal connectorassembly.

FIG. 12 is a schematic sectional view corresponding to FIG. 7.(Corresponding to a view taken along line 12-12 in FIG. 13).

FIG. 13 is a side elevation view corresponding to FIG. 12 (showing theslot in which the flange supporting the flanged needle moves).

FIG. 14 is a schematic sectional view of the proximal connector of thesystem of FIG. 12, after the distal connector has been uncoupled andremoved and the flanged needle has been moved in the slot such that itdoes not penetrate the septum in the proximal connector. (Correspondingto a view taken along line 14-14 in FIG. 15).

FIG. 15 is a side elevation view corresponding to FIG. 14.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1 to 6 illustrate an infusion hub assembly according to thepresent invention. FIGS. 7 to 15 illustrate an infusion connector setaccording to the present invention.

Referring first to FIGS. 1 to 6, an infusion hub assembly 10 isprovided. A large wing or patch 12 having a hole 13 passing therethroughis provided. Wing 12 is positioned on the surface of a patient's skin.In various embodiments, the underside of wing 12 has an adhesivesurface, securing it to a patient's skin. In alternate embodiments, thewing 12 is instead taped directly onto the patient's skin.

As shown in FIG. 1, assembly 10 comprises wing 12, hub 14 and cover 18.In various aspects, all, or at least the upper portion of hub 14 iscircular. Hub 14 is received into a circular shaped hole 13 in wing 12.In various embodiments, hole 13 is stepped in diameter, and circular hub14 also has a stepped diameter such that hub 14 fits into hole 13, asshown. Circular hub 14 has a central bore passing verticallytherethrough. A needle guide 16 is positioned within this bore throughcircular hub 14 as also shown. Needle guide 16 may be funnel-shaped, andmay be made of metal.

In various aspects, an upper portion of circular hub 14 has anattachment surface onto which cover 18 can be snap fit. For example,various aspects, circular hub 14 has a lip 15 extending at leastpartially circumferentially therearound. In various embodiments, cover18 has an interior groove 19 extending at least partiallycircumferentially therearound. In various embodiments, as well, cover 18is made of a flexible material such that it can be easily snap-fit overthe upper portion of circular hub 14.

As can also be seen, a septum 20 is also provided. Septum 20 may be heldby cover 18 (such that when cover 18 is removed from hub 14, septum 20is also removed). As can also be seen, septum 20 may be positioned suchthat it is received within needle guide 16 when cover 18 is positionedover infusion housing 14. Septum 20 may be made from a plug ofself-sealing elastomeric material.

A infusion cannula 22 extends downwardly from wing 12. Thus, infusioncannula 22 is positioned subcutaneously when wing 12 rests on thepatient's skin. Infusion cannula 22 is thus used for subcutaneouslyinfusing medication into the patient. In various embodiments, theproximal end of infusion cannula 22 may be positioned to be receivedwithin the lower portion of circular hub 14, and may also be receivedaround an end of needle guide 16, as shown, however, the presentinvention is not so limited. Many other systems for attaching infusioncannula 16 such that it extends downwardly from wing 12 are alsocontemplated within the scope of the present invention.

Referring next to FIG. 2, a various system for positioning assembly 10such that infusion cannula 22 is positioned subcutaneously is alsoprovided. Specifically, an insertion needle 30, (which is supported by ahandle 32) is inserted through the central bores of protective cover 18and circular hub 14. Thus, needle 30 passes through septum 20, andextends downwardly, passing out the bottom distal end of infusioncannula 22. When needle 30 is inserted through infusion cannula 22, asshown in FIG. 2, the operator simply applies pressure downwardly ontohandle 32 such that wing 12 is pushed down into contact with thepatient's skin and infusion cannula 22 is subcutaneously inserted.

After assembly 10 has been positioned with its wing 12 resting againstthe patient's skin, and with infusion cannula 22 positionedsubcutaneously, (i.e.: as shown in FIG. 2), the operator then simplyremoves needle 30 by pulling upwardly on handle 32. When needle 30 isinitially removed, septum 20 will self-seal, ensuring no contaminationenters from the atmosphere through cannula 22 and thus into thesubcutaneous pathway under the patient's skin.

After needle 30 is removed, it is replaced by rotatable infusion housing40, as follows.

As shown in FIG. 3, rotatable housing 40 is then attached over cover 18.Rotatable housing 40 may be made of a flexible material such that it canbe snap-fit over cover 18 (similar to how cover 18 fits over hub 14).Specifically, rotatable housing 40 may also have an inner attachmentsurface such as an interior grooves 41 which extend at least partiallycircumferentially therearound.

An advantage of interior grooves 41 extending at least partiallycircumferentially around lip 17 of cover 18 is that housing 40 istherefore rotatable with respect to circular housing 14. Thus, as shownin FIGS. 4 and 5, housing 40 may freely be rotated in direction R.

Referring back to FIG. 3, an infusion tube 50 may be used to delivermedication (or any other desired substance) subcutaneously to thepatient. Tube 50 may be received into a radially extending bore 42 inhousing 40. A curved needle 44 may be attached to the end of tube 50,and is positioned such that its downwardly facing distal end is receiveddirectly into needle guide 16 in the bore of circular housing 14. Sincethe distal end of curved needle 44 points downwardly from the center ofrotatable housing 40, and is positioned in the central bores passingthrough cover 18 and circular housing 14, housing 40 is free to rotatein direction R about its central axis while medication or any otherdesired substance is infused through tube 50.

FIG. 6 shows an exploded view of the present system in which either: (i)the introducing needle 30 or, (ii) the rotatable housing 40 and infusiontube 50 are attached to cover 18 and pass through septum 20, intocircular housing 14. As can also be seen, in various embodiments, anoptional removable protective cylinder 23 can be received over infusioncannula 22, to protect the cannula and keep the cannula free ofcontamination prior to its use.

Turning now to FIGS. 7 to 15, an infusion connector set is alsoprovided. In various aspects, connector assembly 100 comprises aproximal connector 110 and a distal connector 120. It is to beunderstood that connector 110 could instead be the distal connector andconnector 120 could instead be the proximal connector, according to theuser's preferences.) As illustrated herein, assembly 100 is used toprovide a detachable coupling link mid-way along infusion tube 50. It isto be understood, however, that while connector assembly 100 (FIGS. 7 to15) may be used in conjunction with the infusion hub assembly 10 (FIGS.1 to 6), it need not be. Rather, each of connector assembly 100 andinfusion hub assembly 10 may be used separately. Thus, the tube numbered“50” in FIGS. 1 to 6 may, or may not, be the same or different from thetubes numbered “50” in FIGS. 7 to 15.

FIG. 7 shows proximal connector 120 and distal connector 110 coupledtogether. FIG. 8 shows proximal connector 120 and distal connector 110uncoupled from one another. As will be explained, the present connectorset provides a system in which, when the proximal and distal connectorsare fastened together, fluid flows freely through the assembly. When theproximal and distal connectors are no longer fastened or coupledtogether, the present invention provides a novel self-sealing systemwhich prevents contamination from entering the flow path through eitherof the proximal or distal connectors. Specifically, as will beexplained, a self-sealing septum is positioned in each of the proximaland distal connectors. Also, the proximal connector supports a flangedneedle assembly which can be moved such that a septum in the proximalneedle self-seals as desired.

Referring to FIG. 10, proximal connector 110 has a septum housing 111received therein. A self-sealing septum 112 is held in position byseptum housing 111. A flanged needle assembly comprising a flange 114and a needle 113 is then received therein. As will be explained, flange114 can be moved up and down in slots 115 in proximal connector 110(thereby moving needle 113 to different positions). A retainer 116 isthen received over flanged needle assembly 113/114. Retainer 116prevents flange 114 from escaping from slot 115. Thus, needle 113remains supported within proximal connector 110 at all times.

Referring to FIG. 11, distal connector 120 has a septum housing 121received therein. A self-sealing septum 122 is held in position byseptum housing 121.

When assembled together, as shown in FIG. 7 (and as illustratedschematically in FIGS. 12 and 13), needle 113 penetrates both of septums111 and 121, permitting flow through tubes 50.

When the connectors are disconnected from one another, (i.e.: whendistal connector 120 is detached from proximal connector 110) needle 113(which is held within proximal connector 110) will no longer penetratedistal septum 121 in distal connector 120. Thus, distal septum 121 willself-seal, such that the subcutaneous pathway into the patient (i.e.:the path through distal connector 120, tube 50 and rotatable housing 40into the patient) will be sealed. However, should a user so desire, aseparate syringe injection needle may be inserted through distal septum121 in distal connector 120 such that different or additional medication(or other substances) can be subcutaneously introduced into the patient.

In accordance with the present invention, a novel system of sealingproximal septum 111 in proximal connector 110 is also provided.Referring to FIG. 9 (and to schematic FIGS. 14 and 15), flange 114 ismoved distally along slot 115 such that it carries needle 113 to aposition at which it no longer penetrates proximal septum 111.

In various embodiments, flange 114 protrudes slightly through slots 115on opposite sides of proximal connector 110, to permit an operator tograsp onto flange 114 and slide it into a position against retainer 116(such that needle 113 no longer pierces septum 111).

1. An infusion hub assembly, comprising: a wing having a hole passingtherethrough; a hub received in the hole in the wing, the hub having abore passing therethrough, with an upper portion of the circular hubhaving an attachment surface thereon; an infusion cannula extendingdownwardly away from the wing, the infusion cannula being in fluidcommunication with the bore passing through the hub; a cover having abore passing therethrough and having an inner attachment surface adaptedto mate with the attachment surface on the upper portion of the hub; anda septum positioned in alignment with the bore passing through thecover.
 2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the upper portion of the hubis circular.
 3. The assembly of claim 2, wherein the attachment surfaceon the upper portion of the circular hub comprises a lip extendingcircumferentially therearound.
 4. The assembly of claim 1, wherein anunderside surface of the wing comprises an adhesive layer.
 5. Theassembly of claim 1, wherein the hole in the wing is a stepped hole andthe hub has a stepped outer dimension which fits into the stepped holein the wing.
 6. The assembly of claim 5, wherein both the stepped holeand the hub are circular and the hub has a stepped outer diameter. 7.The assembly of claim 1, further comprising: a needle guide received inthe bore of the hub.
 8. The assembly of claim 7, wherein the needleguide is funnel shaped.
 9. The assembly of claim 7, wherein the infusioncannula is attached to the needle guide.
 10. The assembly of claim 1,wherein the upper portion of the cover is circular.
 11. The assembly ofclaim 1, wherein the inner attachment surface on the cover comprises arecess extending circumferentially around an internal surface of thecover.
 12. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the cover further comprisesan outer attachment surface.
 13. The assembly of claim 12, wherein theouter attachment surface on the cover comprises a lip extendingcircumferentially therearound.
 14. The assembly of claim 13, furthercomprising: a needle guide received in the bore of the hub, wherein theseptum is received into the needle guide when the cover is attached tothe hub.
 15. The assembly of claim 13, further comprising: a removableinsertion needle passing through the bore in the cover, the septum andthe infusion cannula, wherein a distal end of the insertion needleextends downwardly out of the distal end of the infusion cannula. 16.The assembly of claim 1, further comprising: a rotatable housing havingan attachment surface adapted to mate with the outer attachment surfaceon the upper portion of the cover.
 17. The assembly of claim 16, whereinthe attachment surface on the rotatable housing comprises a recessextending circumferentially around an internal surface of the rotatablehousing.
 18. The assembly of claim 16, wherein the rotatable housing hasa radial bore.
 19. The assembly of claim 18, further comprising: acurved needle passing at least partially through the radial bore in therotatable housing, wherein a first end of the curved needle ispositioned to extend downwardly into the bores in the cover and hub whenthe rotatable housing is attached to the cover.
 20. The assembly ofclaim 19, further comprising: a tube received into the radial bore ofthe rotatable housing in fluid communication with the curved needle.